I remember in my first year at the University I and many of my classmates had no clue about how to calculate CGPA.
The calculation of CGPA at the University sounded like complex mathematics work. In fact, some people had to pay for the calculation of their results.
Well, the calculation of CGPA is not a complex mathematics problem. It is easy and you can do it yourself.
In this post, I will be showing you the easy way that you can use to calculate the GPA for your first and second semesters.
You will learn how to calculate GPA from CGPA. Also, you will know how to calculate CGPA in Nigerian Universities like the University of Ibadan, UNN, AAU, UNILAG, NOUN, OAU, UNIPORT, UNILORIN, etc. and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
First-year and other students will find this post helpful. But first, let me explain the meaning of GPA and CGPA in Nigerian Universities.
Let me know in the comment box if you need clarifications. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Table of contents
Nigerian University Grading System
The grading system in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions uses over a hundred scores.
Thirty (30) marks are for continuous assessment while seventy (70) is for examination score.
Here is the grading system for Nigerian Universities;
| Score | Grade | Points | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 – 100 | A | 5 | Excellent |
| 60 – 69 | B | 4 | Very Good |
| 50 – 59 | C | 3 | Good |
| 45 – 49 | D | 2 | Pass |
| 40 – 44 | E | 1 | Fair |
| 0 – 39 | F | 0 | Fail |
GPA
GPA stands for grade point average. It is the grade point for your first and second-semester results.
You need to know the score you got for each of your courses to calculate the GPA of either semester.
Below is a sample of the first and second-semester results of a first-year student in the University.
First Semester Course Outline
| Course Code | Course Title | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 101 | Elements of Accounting I | 2 |
| COS 101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Logic | 2 |
| MAN 101 | Principles of Small Business Economics | 2 |
| MTH 111 | General Mathematics I | 3 |
| MAN 141 | Elements of Business Economics I | 3 |
| GSP 101 | The Use of English I | 2 |
| GSP 105 | Natural Science I | 2 |
| Total | 19 |
First Semester Result
| Course Code | Course Title | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 101 | Elements of Accounting I | 46 | D |
| COS 101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 75 | A |
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Logic | 66 | B |
| MAN 101 | Principles of Small Business Economics | 43 | E |
| MTH 111 | General Mathematics I | 54 | C |
| MAN 141 | Elements of Business Economics I | 87 | A |
| GSP 101 | The Use of English I | 49 | D |
| GSP 105 | Natural Science I | 57 | C |
First Semester GPA Calculation
| PointCourse Code | Unit | Grade | Point | Unit x Point | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 101 | 2 | D | 2 | 2 x 2 | 4 |
| COS 101 | 3 | A | 5 | 3 x 5 | 15 |
| PHI 101 | 2 | B | 4 | 2 x 4 | 8 |
| MAN 101 | 2 | E | 1 | 2 x 1 | 2 |
| MTH 111 | 3 | C | 3 | 3 x 3 | 9 |
| MAN 141 | 3 | A | 5 | 3 x 5 | 15 |
| GSP 101 | 2 | D | 2 | 2 x 2 | 4 |
| GSP 105 | 2 | C | 3 | 2 x 3 | 6 |
| Total | 19 | 25 | 63 |
You will divide the total point by the total number of credit unit loads for the first semester.
Total Point = 63
Total Unit = 19
GPA = 63/19 = 3.32
Second Semester Course Outline
| Course Code | Course Title | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 102 | Elements of Accounting II | 2 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 2 |
| BF 101 | Introduction to Finance | 2 |
| MTH 112 | General Mathematics II | 2 |
| MAN 142 | Elements of Business Economics II | 3 |
| GSP 102 | The Use of English II | 2 |
| GSP 106 | Natural Science II | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
Second Semester Result
The table below shows the second-semester result we would for the calculation.
| Course Code | Course Title | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 102 | Elements of Accounting II | 65 | B |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 56 | C |
| BF 101 | Introduction to Finance | 44 | E |
| MTH 112 | General Mathematics II | 59 | C |
| MAN 142 | Elements of Business Economics II | 78 | A |
| GSP 102 | The Use of English II | 49 | D |
| GSP 106 | Natural Science II | 81 | A |
First Semester GPA Calculation
| Course Code | Unit | Grade | Point | Unit x Point | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 102 | 2 | B | 4 | 2 x 4 | 8 |
| PSY 101 | 2 | C | 3 | 2 x 3 | 6 |
| BF 101 | 2 | E | 1 | 2 x 1 | 2 |
| MTH 112 | 2 | C | 3 | 2 x 3 | 6 |
| MAN 142 | 3 | A | 5 | 3 x 5 | 15 |
| GSP 102 | 2 | D | 2 | 2 x 2 | 4 |
| GSP 106 | 2 | A | 5 | 2 x 5 | 10 |
| Total | 15 | 23 | 51 |
You will divide the total point by the total number of credit unit loads for the second semester.
Total Point = 51
Total Unit = 15
GPA = 51/15 = 3.4
CGPA
CGPA stands for cumulative grade point average. It is an addition to your first and second semester GPA.
Now the final step is to add the GPA of both semesters and divide it into two (2) to get your CGPA.
| Semester | GPA |
|---|---|
| First semester | 3.32 |
| Second semester | 3.4 |
| Total | 6.72 |
CGPA = First semester GPA + Second semester GPA / 2
CGPA = 3.32 + 3.4 / 2 = 3.36
Final Year CGPA
The final year CGPA is an addition of your CGPA from the first year to your final year divided by the number of years of study.
Below is the CGPA of a student from the first year to the final year.
| Level | CGPA |
|---|---|
| 100 | 3.36 |
| 200 | 4.5 |
| 300 | 3.9 |
| 499 | 4.7 |
| Total | 16.46 |
Final CGPA = Total CGPA / 4
Final CGPA = 16.46/4 = 4.1
See also
Nigerian Degree Categories
| CGPA | Degree Category |
|---|---|
| 4.50 – 5.0 | First Class |
| 3.50 – 4.49 | Second Class (Upper) |
| 2.50 – 3.49 | Second Class Lower |
| Less than 2.49 | Third Class |
Will a carryover have thesame grade or less?
Yes, Ogo
A carryover has the same grade.
If someone had an extension will it affect the calculation of CGPA??? If yes kindly explain how. Thanks
If by extension you mean an extra year.
Then, it will affect your CGPA in a good way.
An extra year is a good chance to increase your CGPA. This is because you have the opportunity to take extra courses that will boost your CGPA.
Let me know if you have further questions.
Dear sir,
For a Direct Entry student who got 4.19 in first semester exam in 200level. Is it still possible to graduate with 1st class? what are the chances
Yes, Freeman
You have a good chance to graduate in a first-class.
Good evening.. for example you did direct entry programme and then started university from year 2 after finishing the direct entry programme.. how would you calculate your results
Hello Abasiubong,
It is the same process for direct entry students.
For example, the final CGPA for DE students studying a four (4) will be Session CGPA/3
Can a 3.45 be approximated to 2.1?
No, James.
2.1 is 3.5 to 4.49.
If I have a …
3.0 in my first year
2.98 in my second year
3.55 in my third year, can I graduate with a 4.0 in my fifth year?
Assuming you get a 5.0 CGPA in your final year.
It would not be up to a 4.0.
Can someone with 4.45 in their thirdly year still make first class?
It is possible if you can get a high CGPA in your final year.
Someone who had 100 1.96 CPGA
200 2.59
300 3.28
Not yet done 400 &500 can the person have still have first class
No, it is not possible.
But the person can make a 2.1 assuming he/she gets 5.0 CGPA in both 400 and 500 levels.
Good evening please if for example. You are on a 5 years course and your CGPA for your year 1-4 is 3.34. then your year 5 CGPA is 4.05. how do you calculate to get your final CGPA. do you add 3.34 + 4.05 and divide by 2? Please respond in my email thanks
Thanks for being so detailed,it really helped 🙂
Shemilore,
I’m glad that you find the tutorial helpful.
Cheers.